Yu-Gi-Oh! © Kazuki Takahashi
OCs © reaper-of-lost-souls
Alexis © missb111
A/N: Well let's see… I have some time before my next class so I figured I'd review this next chapter. Hey guys! What's up?! I'm super-duper excited because my birthday is 6 days from now… yes my birthday is 9/11. Whatever. Anyways my parents plan on buying me a new laptop cord so I won't have to borrow theirs anymore! =D Also they'll be getting a small cake from this awesome German bakery that I love to get sweets from, so even if my birthday will be small I'll have a stomach full of filling sweets! =3 And now to this chapter… I guess this is a continuation of what happened last chapter. We get to see what happens to those souls in AmAuNet and all that fun stuff… well I won't give everything away. I just hope you enjoy this next chapter
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Zahra tucked the sword under her arm and took off towards the city, ignoring Horus' screams as she ran through the streets. She sped up at inhuman speeds trying to create some distance between herself and the god, but he was much faster and was soon gaining on her. "Give it up you damn soul!" he snarled, "or by the gods I'll have your heart ripped right out of you!"
"Go right ahead and try!" she snarled back, suddenly jumping onto a crate and leaping into the air. Zahra landed onto the edge of a roof and climbed away, leaping from building to building trying to get Horus away from her. "I'm sick of your games! Just tell me the truth!" She grumbled, hearing the god screech at her in frustration. There were reasons why she left Egypt and this was one of them. Horus was always on her tail trying to get her to do… whatever it was he wanted her to do. He never does tell her, which Zahra finds infuriating, and she will continue to run away from his attacks till she is told everything he wants her to do. Kill the pharaoh, kill the pharaoh: that's all she ever heard till she left Egypt for good. She snarled. She won't let the god win, "Not like before," she huffed and looked around, trying to find her destination. It was a long time since Zahra heard of the prophesy told by the oracle. There were details upon details described to her, what her fate would be and what will happen to her once she's back in Egypt, but she wasn't looking forward to any of them. The only one she wished to fulfill was saving the lost souls, and on Zahra's mind was to do just that.
The only way was to kill herself, but not by any blade. It had to be by a divine blade, a sword crafted for a god. Zahra looked up and her eyes widened, hearing a cry for someone to save them as soul after soul ran away from the large creature. "Just what is that thing?" she tilted her head to the side. Horus called it Zorc, but Zahra felt there was much more to that creature then just a name. Did she really know its name? Sadly she couldn't quite recall, but there was more to the name then just Zorc. There was a reason for its creation and Zahra had a feeling she'll find out soon what that reason was. Then out of the corner of her eye she saw a wave of energy move her way, ducking just in time as it almost hit Horus behind her. "Damn it," she mumbled under her breath, noticing the priests on the ground coming towards them.
"Stop or I'll have to kill you!" Horus continued to yell at her, Zahra looking back with a smirk.
"But that's exactly my plan Horus!" she yelled back, noticing the building she was running towards and leaping into the air. The priests watched as the thief used her body to slam through the thin ceiling, a wave of light rushing in after her as the black cloak fluttered and slammed into a stone altar.
Zahra let out an 'oof' and then a groan as she got up, quickly regaining her sight as she shook her head and pulled out the sword. "Don't you dare take another step god!" she growled, Horus pausing at the steps of the altar and holding up his hands.
"Now now, let's not be hasty –"
"All my life you gods have been trying to control me," she snarled at him, "and tell me what to do. I won't end up like Karbukef. I'm not your patsy, Horus. I am not weak! I left to get stronger, and now that I am you will not take over me! This is my life! These are my choices; and the gods as my witness: anyone who stands in my way will fall to their knees and die by my blade!" Zahra lifted up the sword and Horus ran towards her, reaching out to grab hold of her hand. He was too late. She stabbed herself right in the chest, the light emitting from the blade slicing through her body and out the other end.
She gasped in pain, her eyes flickering close, and before Horus could pull out the blade she laid dead on the altar. "N-no…" he paused, looking at the blood before slipping his sword back into its holster. He grabbed her head, glaring at it through angry eyes. "You should have listened Zahra," he snarled, "and now I'll have to do everything the hard way –" Horus watched as her body suddenly turned into sand, dissolving through his fingers and falling onto the ground. He growled. "I know you're there Zahra!" he screeched. "Come out before I have to kill you myself!"
! #$%^&*()
Zahra felt pain flowing through her veins, but once her heart beat its last note she felt nothing. Outright nothingness and darkness surrounded her vision, the light of the god disappearing as her body plopped on the cold, stone slab. She felt herself floating, disappearing into the air, but then she heard the god screech. Her eyes fluttered open and she gasped in horror, finding herself in the shadows and that the city had turned into only large, dark shadows. She narrowed her eyes and noticed the large dark creature, attacking the souls and swatting them aside. Zahra could see it better now, its wings flapping and sending a damp, chilling breeze through her body, its eyes burning red as it's glared at its victims. Slowly sneaking away from Horus she took off down the streets, pulling out the sword by her side and running at the creature blindly and without thinking. "What the –"
"YIAH!" Zahra cried out and pushed the soul out of the way, slashing the monster in the hand and cutting off its finger. The creature jumped back and let out a surprised screech, completely thrown off guard as Zahra stood between itself and the other souls. "Get back or I'll kill you!" she snarled, gripping the sword in her hand tightly as her jaded green eyes glowed eerily in the darkness.
"No mortal can stop me!" the creature laughed, slashing at Zahra as she quickly evaded his attacks.
"Then you haven't met me!" she smirked, running up a building and jumping into the air. The creature's eyes widened as Zahra let out a battle cry, embedding the blade deep into the monster's neck. Then her eyes widened, the monster smirking when he noticed he wasn't affected and swatted her away. She yelped as she was thrown back, the sword dissolving into black pudge and disappearing once it hit the foggy ground. "Damn," she snarled, noticing a large cut across the side of her head.
"Kid get back," a spirit beside her ordered, two strong arms grabbing hold of her from behind and pulling her away. "What a turn of events," the soul smirked slyly beside him, the soul next to him shaking his head.
"Don't even start –"
"Well now we can take down this creature with the girl back on our side!" the spirit laughed.
The other soul looked back and noticed the pain Zahra was in, the woman groaning as she put a hand to her head and tried to stop the bleeding. "I won't let you get her involved –"
"Either way we can't get out of this," the spirit huffed. "What? You just want to retreat? After all the souls it has devoured?"
"No. But –"
"I get it, you're worried," he sighed, "but this may be the only way –"
"I-I could go back t-o the real world," Zahra interrupted them, the two spirits turning to her waiting for her to speak. She blinked. All she saw was fuzzy, shadowy lines, but she felt that she knew the voices from somewhere. All she could see was that one was much taller than the other, the taller soul's eyes burning purple aura at her while the shorter one had brown, much darker eyes glowing at her with a hint of sadness kept in its eyes. "Bring you w-ith me –"
"That's not a good idea –"
"I think that's a great idea!" The one with purple eyes exclaimed. "At least get the others out of the way. I'll figure out a way to stop the creature again –"
"No stay with them," the other spirit with brown eyes told him. "They need you –"
They paused, watching as Zahra stood to her feet and took off her necklace. Her hands wobbled as she held the object out to them, letting out a soft chant. "Woh kid what are you doing –" The spirits let out a shriek as they were sucked into the object, the cowering souls behind her spinning around her and disappearing into the necklace.
The green stones glowed in the jackal necklace, the lost souls crying at her and pleading for her to let them go. "I can't let you get hurt," Zahra snarled, putting the chain back around her neck. "Apparently you're my responsibility. Don't argue with me." She looked up at the creature before bolting away, running as fast as she could to escape the creature. Her hands began to glow a light white as she summoned a portal back to the human world, letting out a cry as the light shined on her face and she jumped through the portal she created.
! #$%^&*()
Amasa let out a 'whine', seeing Zahra stab herself and fall limp on the altar. Then his eyes lit up, watching as a spirit flew out of her body and formed in the middle of the streets right outside. "Zahra…" he thought aloud as he slowly made his way towards her, watching her spirit run through the streets and towards a creature that was suddenly appearing in his sights. "Zorc," he snarled in disgust, watching as his master tried attacking the creature and failed. He growled. There was no way he could help her if she was in the realm of shadows. He'd have to kill himself to save her, but unlike Zahra he knew he would be dead if he tried. Then he saw two spirits mesmerize in front of Zahra, shielding her from the creature as they began to talk silently among themselves. "M-master…" he through aloud, looking up to hear panting behind him.
"Father what is going on –"
"Son do you see this?" Amasa asked, Kalil looking up before squinting his eyes and blinking confused.
"W-what's that large creature –"
"Zorc Necrophades," Amasa explained to his son. "This is the shadow creature I was describing to you, the creature you must keep away from Zahra at all costs."
"But why –"
"Because if that monster succeeds in taking Zahra's body and soul he will appear into the world of the living and destroy everything in existence," he told him. "The realm between this life and the afterlife will disappear, the safe haven for wandering souls trying to find their way to their destination will vanish. Trust me," Amasa snarled, "I've come across him several times. Zahra doesn't need to know about this. Just do as I've told you and keep Zahra safe."
"I will father," Kalil nodded, looking behind him at the wild dogs that had followed them and heard their conversation. Their faces had a look of dread on their faces, but Kalil just let out a snort and shooed them away. "Fellah, my best friend, keep the others away. If my father and I die in this fight you must keep the pack together and strong."
"I will my friend," Fellah tilted his head in a slight bow, letting out a 'bark' and ushering the group to run out into the desert where the other thieves may be waiting.
"I hate it that Zahra never tells me her plans," Amasa snarled. "She must still be trying to find her memories again… but this time she won't be able to turn back, no matter how much she'll try."
"I don't like the sound of that –"
"Listen to me," Amasa interrupted Kalil, "when Zahra appears into the living world we'll attack. Snarl at him, grab hold of his arms or legs, and use the powers of your soul to stun the creature for Zahra to close the portal. It may be the only way to save them."
"Y-yes," Kalil nodded, but he let in a gulp at the thought of giving up himself, body and soul, to the shadows.
"Be strong my son," Amasa encouraged the boy, crouching down and getting into ready position as Kalil did the same.
Suddenly a portal appeared, Zahra jumping through and falling to the ground in pain. She quickly spun around on the sand and held up her hands, trying as fast as she could to close the portal, but Zorc was faster and reached out his hand towards her, her eyes widening as she shut them and waited for her fate. Though no blow to her body came and Zahra opened her eyes, finding Kalil and Amasa grabbing hold of the hand and trying to pull the creature away. "Amasa!" Zahra cried out in terror, jumping to her feet and quickly putting pressure on her head to stop the bleeding. She looking around and tried to think, but her brain was rattled and she was losing blood fast. Her sight continued to get blurry and she could barely think, only one thought coming to her mind as she reached for the dagger tucked under her dress and pulling it out. "I-I guess this will do," she huffed, the dagger glowing and quickly growing to the size of a sword. "Please guide me, Sword of Anubis," she whispered to herself, narrowing her eyes and gripping the handle tightly. Then Zahra let out a cry, running as fast as she could towards the creature and slashed at its hand.
Zorc screeched as his thumb was cut off, Kalil falling to the ground and quickly letting go of the thumb. "Human!" Kalil called to Zahra, "Close the portal! Father wants you to!"
"But –"
"It's the only way to save this world!" Kalil explained, Zahra narrowing her eyes at him and wondering where he got that information. Then she shook her head. This wasn't the time to think of those thoughts. She held out her hand and it began to glow in a dark haze, the portal around Zorc's hand slicing through his skin. Zahra closed her eyes, hoping Amasa would end up on their side, and clutched her hand in a fist as the portal closed completely. Hearing Kalil snarl Zahra opened her eyes, widening in terror to find the creature's hand turning into a large shadow creature. "What is that thing! –"
"Kalil attack!" Zahra quickly ordered, Kalil jumping to his feet and running towards the creatures. He growled and jumped into the air, snapping his teeth around a monster's neck and cutting off its head. Zahra used her sword to slice the other monsters into pieces, their remains scattering on the sand and disappearing into blackened goo until it disappeared into the sand. Zahra let out soft pants, Kalil slowly making his way to her as she held her hand up to her head. "W-why am I seeing this?" she snarled, seeing the large creature grabbing hold of Amasa and slowly tearing his soul apart.
"Father! –"
"Damn I can't take this!" she growled and took off her necklace. She placed it around Kalil, tying the back so it was secure before slowly taking steps towards the creature.
"W-what are you doing –"
"I don't leave anyone behind Kalil," she explained, blinking and shaking her head. "Stay awake… damn…" she growled and knew her blood was wearing thin. She won't be able to survive a slash to the head for very long, especially since it was an attack by a powerful creature. "Look, keep that necklace on you at all times. I'll be back for that necklace… soon…"
"Master don't –"
"Zorc you'll pay for that!" she cried out, running as fast as she could towards the creature. The portal suddenly opened and she disappeared inside, Kalil coming to a halt once the portal closed up before him.
"Zahra come back!" Kalil cried out, watching as the shadows grabbed hold of her.
Zahra reached for the dog, Amasa blinking as he felt a tight grip around his paw. "… Z-zahra –"
"I won't leave you behind Amasa," she smiled to him, her hands wrapping around his waist as she pulled him close to her chest and let the shadows grab hold of them and rip through their bodies.
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High above in the palace walls Alexis watched the whole thing, watching from a balcony as her brother rode off with the pharaoh to investigate the sudden disturbance. "What is going on –"
"Zahra where are you?" Alexis sighed, ignoring the boy beside him as she looked down below. Her eyes widened, spotting Zahra running across the buildings and jumping into a temple. She watched everything. The burst of light that was created when Zahra killed herself. The screech the god made when Zahra disappeared from this world… the creature… oddly enough very close to the place as it appeared in her sight and began to come after Zahra. And the hand that reached for her when she made her escape, seeing Zahra disappear back into the shadows and disappear from her line of sight. "Atem," she spoke to the young boy, the prince looking over at her confused at her sudden voice, "there are forces in this world you will never fully understand. As pharaoh you need to realize this world will never be in your control… your world and your life is never your control." She sighed, "If I fall unconscious and die, tell my brother I love him."
"M-miss what are you saying –"
"The gods have been against us from the beginning," she continued, "when those Millennium items were created. They are a beautiful gift, but they bring about a terrible curse. Please, for the love of the gods, don't lose yourself to the shadows. I've had one person I hold dear kill themselves time and time again to the shadows. Don't make the same mistake my family has." Atem's eyes widened as he watched Alexis summon her ka, a green aura surrounding her and soon concentrating into her hands.
Alexis looked up, seeing Zahra cry out in pain as she was being ripped apart by the shadows, the dog in her arms staying put as she held him tight. She let her warm aura escape her and flow through the air, grabbing around Zahra and throwing her out of the shadows. Then Alexis collapsed, groaning in pain as she felt her body drained. "Alexis!" Atem cried out and tried to pick her up, calling for the guards to come and help them.
She looked up and groaned, watching as a horse rode up in the distance and grab hold of the bodies on the ground. "Z-zahra…" she frowned, watching as the horse disappeared into the desert while the pharaoh and priests chased after them.
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"Strike! Strike! Guard! Guard!... There you go Zahra! One more time!"
"B-but Orion –"
"One more and I'll let you rest for the day," he told her, Zahra letting out a sigh as she gripped the wooden sword in her hand and began to strike him. It had been several months since she had run away from home, months since she started this program Daleel wanted her to do. Since the beginning Orion has been her personal trainer, but over the few months she had Zahra was placed into competitions to show off her strength to other warriors in the area. Oddly enough there were a few girls who would participate alongside Zahra, but she had to work extra hard to learn everything since she was behind everyone else by a few years. They had been learning to fight as soldiers and warriors since they were five years old, Zahra only started a few months ago. Even though Orion says she's improving greatly, Zahra knew she had a long way to go before she would be as strong as everyone else. He mainly had her working on attack and defense with a sword, seeing as her short-range skills and hand-to-hand combat skills weren't fully developed yet.
But she was beginning to worry. There were many things she had told Orion, but he needed to know he where she came from, but she had to be sure that he wouldn't tell Daleel certain details about herself before telling him things he needed to know: why she left and etcetera. Zahra was starting to trust him, but she was still hesitant. If she bluntly tells him everything about herself they can get into trouble and she didn't want him to get killed. Yet, she was running out of time. The days were starting to get shorter and the harvest season was coming to a close. Orion had her working out in the fields to gather the harvest and store for later, but Zahra knew that by the end of the harvest she'll undergo a transformation. She never liked it; it scared Seto and Alexis so much that they'd leave her alone for those days she was transformed, but always she felt better when she did. She felt stronger, had gained more energy, and would be able to survive the winter with the extra powers she gains over the few days she has. This year it'll be fifteen days while she under goes the transformation. Perhaps she'll be able to keep herself hidden for the few days she's changed –
"Okay you're done!" Orion smiled, Zahra letting out soft pants as she dropped the sword and slumped to the ground. "Hey now! You still have to help carry the grapes into the storage house," he grinned. Then he sighed, shaking his head as Zahra lay emotionless on the ground and kicked her gently on the side of her waist. "Come on kid," he sighed. "If you want to be part of our group you'll have to work –"
"You don't work," she huffed.
Orion grinned triumphantly as Zahra shifted onto her back and looked up at him with a glare. "I don't have to."
"Why?" she groaned. "What makes you so special?"
"I've been under Daleel's services for years now," he explained, "and gained his trust. It's only a matter of time till I have my freedom –"
"You didn't answer my question," she sighed and shook her head, sitting up and brushing the dirt from her back.
"Well I thought I explained everything to you –"
"I think it's a bit dumb that he has a soldier, a warrior out doing errands for him," Zahra snorted. "I mean, sure this business Daleel has is import and exporting items, but why have a soldier as a merchant? Why train a child for warfare if all we're doing is 'supposedly' selling items? It makes no sense Orion. I just don't get it," she groaned and slumped back down, Orion shaking his head and continuing to gently kick her in her side.
"It's simple really," he snorted. "It's a way to defend ourselves. If you don't know the basics of defense you'll end up getting robbed by bandits. Being a warrior makes you strong. Learning how to kill builds a roughness in your heart. There is more to his game then just products," Orion tried to explain, "he's creating a domain. You will learn this one day Zahra, when we are sent off on our first mission. Our group has spread far and wide. For merchants like ourselves we will have to sign in at every town we come upon, get missions, and fulfill them. Some are simple. You have to deliver a shipment of goods from one place to another. Others aren't as easy. You will come across a route filled with bandits or there is competition and you will have to kill someone. Better yet, someone didn't pay their debts and you've come to collect them. There are many things we do. Our jobs aren't set in stone. We are merchants one day and warriors the next day… it's a vicious game Zahra."
Zahra sighed and sat up, jumping off of the ground and brushing the dirt from her clothes. "… Just what are we called then?" she asked. "Do we have a specific name for ourselves?"
"Not really," Orion shrugged. "Various places call us by different names. All you need is a known name and a way to identify yourself. I use a ring," he explained as he held up his ring to Zahra, "and it's the only sort of ring that has this insignia on it."
"Oh I get it!" she smirked. "… Then if that's the case… maybe I'll change my name."
"Oh?" he asked. "Why will you?"
"I don't want my real name to be known," she explained, "and I just was to disappear in a sea of people."
"Rough life?" he shrugged, not exactly expecting an answer as he began to walk away. "That reminds me, you need to tell me everything so we can put you on record. Your name, where you came from, all of that fun stuff."
"Yes sir –"
"We'll do that tonight," he continued, "and Daleel will show up tomorrow. Be ready!"
Zahra sighed as she watched Orion leave, picking up the equipment and stuffing them in a bag. "Oh Amasa," she pouted and shook her head, trying to keep a tear from falling down her face, "I wish you were here. It's so lonely… I need someone to talk to." She slung the bag over her shoulder and hustled after Orion, knowing full well that she didn't have a lot of time before sundown.
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Zahra kept close to Orion, afraid to leave his sight as they walked through a tavern and towards the back. Noticing a man coming towards her she hid behind Orion's cloak, Orion looking down at her confused as the drunken man passed by them without even giving them a glance. "Kid, are you okay?" he asked as Zahra wiped some sweat from her brow.
"Y-yeah I'm fine," Zahra tried to tell him, though her stuttering voice wasn't very convincing.
Orion shrugged and continued on their way, walking into the back and unlocking a door. Once it was closed and locked behind them he let out a sigh, lighting a few candles as Zahra watched him from the bed. "Now where's the paper?" he thought aloud, rustling through drawers till he came across a few blank scrolls. Taking out one of them he grabbed a random feather and some ink, cutting the end of the long feather with his knife before dipping it into the ink and sprawling out the paper. "Okay," he began, "I'll ask you a few questions and then you'll answer completely and fully –"
"Orion, if I answer everything, do you have to put everything there?" she asked with a worried look on her face.
"Kid, it's better to just do as I say," he huffed. "The sooner we get this done the better. I was supposed to have this done weeks ago, but you've been reluctant to tell me anything. Now you're Daleel's slave. Start acting like a servant and do as he says. He likes to keep records of all his servants, so it's best to start this off right now. Now… name?"
"Ranpu," Zahra answered, Orion glancing over at her before giving her a smirk and writing down her answer in Greek.
"Full name?"
"Zahra-Sutekh Ranpu."
"Age?"
"About –"
"I need exact Zahra," he snorted at her.
She sighed. "Fourteen," she told him, thinking for a moment, "but I'll turn fifteen in a few more days."
"Oh, congrates," he mumbled under his breath as he wrote down the number fourteen. "Birthday?"
"N-not exactly sure –"
"We'll leave that blank for now," he told her. "Parents?"
"Don't know," Zahra shrugged, the man looking at her with a frown before looking back to the scroll.
"Where did you live?"
"Egypt," Zahra told him, "uhhh… I don't know the city, but it was in Upper Egypt."
"Siblings?"
"None that I know of," Zahra explained, "but I was adopted."
"Did you run away?" he asked.
"I guess you can say that," she shrugged. "Yes, adopted and ran away."
"How about you tell me your past?" Orion asked, Zahra looking at him weary. "Look kid, I need to put something down. Just tell me what happened and I'll decide from there what to put down."
"… I was eleven when they found me," Zahra began, "and when my family found me I lost all my memories. I don't recall if I had parents… I don't recall if I had siblings. Everything was wiped clean and I started life with them. So in reality I don't even know if I come from Egypt," she shrugged, "but I know my name, Zahra-Sutekh Ranpu. Ummm… there is some stuff you should probably know." She let in a big inhale before exhaling completely. "I was raised to be a priestess, but I trained myself to be a common thief and fighter. I didn't like the idea of working for the pharaoh… that's a reason why I left," she explained. "Secondly, my adopted mother wanted all her children, including me, to be priests. When I started my training they learned that… that I have powers…" she looked away, noticing Orion's glance, "dark powers that could burn people in an instant and dissolve them into the sands. I-I don't know why I have them, but I do. I was called cursed in the village I was living in and I'm still cursed now," she continued with a frown.
"There are many things I don't know about. I don't understand what I am and what my part is in this world. I wish I knew. I wish! I know that becoming a priestess wouldn't have been a good thing for me… I don't know why, but something inside of me told me to turn away," she explained. "T-there is also something else," she looked over at him before looking down. "O-on my birthday, or that's what they've decided to be my birthday, I-I have to leave civilization and go out into the wild." She bit down her lip to stop herself from sobbing, "A-and when I do, on that night… at midnight… w-wings… white large wings spring out of my back. No reason! They just do," she shook her head and wiped a tear that tried to roll down her face. "I-I'm always in pain when that happens and they stay with me for whatever age I am. I don't like going into towns because everyone gets scared… they call me a monster or they worship me as a god. Either way I don't like it and I leave… I'd rather be gone and disappeared then around other people," she sighed.
"… When does this happen?" he asked quietly, noticing the shiver that rolled down Zahra's spine when he spoke.
"Ummm… towards the end of harvest time –"
"That's already here!" Orion yelled before shaking his head and snarling under his breath. "Zahra Zahra… you need to tell me these things ahead of time. Now is there anything else?"
"… The reason I left is a bit more complicated then refusing my mother and special powers," Zahra shrugged and leaned back against the side of the bed, looking towards a nearby window. "There… well I knew I had to get away," she explained, "and instead of facing my problems I left. While I was up in Lower Egypt I got caught stealing food. So they brought me in and placed me in jail. Then they… a guard… while others were watching…" Orion paused and looked over, watching as Zahra began to break down and start to cry. She pulled her knees up to her chest, putting her head against her knees as she tried to keep herself from trembling. "They were just… evil men. I was being kept in prison for months and months… they didn't even care. The priests would try taking my soul… they were experimenting on me, and once they got bored with me they dumped me in jail to starve to death. Knowing that… knowing that I wouldn't be speaking to the priests, they… they shoved me against the wall and…"
Zahra couldn't take it, tears starting to fall down her face. "I didn't want them to! My guards walked into my cell, locked the door, a-and touched me. It was disgusting," she snarled, "and I didn't like it one bit. They ripped off my clothes and made me touch… their…" Zahra shuddered and clutched her fists. "But the oddest thing… when one of them was about to shove his member into me, a creature popped out of the shadows and grabbed him. Then another claw grabbed the other and left me alone. I didn't know what happened," she sighed, "but they were gone. The keys were left on the ground and I ran… I ran as far away from Egypt as I could, climbing into a random crate to escape. So… that's why I left and I never want to go back, ever."
Orion looked over at her with concern, sighing as he set the feather down on the table and walked over to the bed. Zahra flinched when he sat down, feeling his hand gently resting on top of her knee. "I was told at a very young age that a person mustn't run away from their problems, but confront them," he began, Zahra looking up at him and rubbing her eyes. "You may not want to go back right now, but the first mistake you made was leaving in the first place. You made a choice to leave, but you also have a choice to return. You have time to think about this. Maybe not today, this year, but you have time to decide if you want to return to your homeland. I know I was afraid to come back to Sparta," he chuckled lightly, "but now I know what happened to my family. Now I know that my sister could be alive somewhere and all I have to do is find her… What those men did was disrespectful to you and to any good, moral person. Those men got was what they deserved… I'm just sorry you had to go through something like that."
"Y-yeah," Zahra nodded, "b-ut now that you know… w-will you tell Daleel –"
"He doesn't need to know those details," he smirked. "I doubt he'd care. Besides it's about time someone stands up for you. Let's see… I'll write down that wing thing you said, but that'll be it. I'll leave details out of my information. It's alright if you do the same."
Zahra smiled weakly at him, a weary look in her eyes as he stood up and walked back to the table. "T-thank you Orion," she said as the man began to write in the scroll. "… Why will you do that?"
"My sister is about your age," he shrugged, "and to think that someone could do that, let alone other people know… I don't like it."
She smirked, sighing as she sat up in the bed and drank down a cup of water. "Is there anything else –"
"No that's alright," he smirked. "Go to sleep. We'll talk in the morning." Zahra nodded and yawned, kicking off her shoes and crawling into bed. Orion watched out of the corner of his eye as the girl curled up into the bed, sighing as he looked back to the scroll. "Disgusting men," he growled under his voice. "If I ever see guards do that to a little girl I'll kill them on the spot." She smirked in her sleep, wrapping the sheets tighter around her body as she felt a chill in the room. For once she wasn't afraid to sleep with another man in the room, realizing how tired she was and instantly falling into a deep slumber.
)(*&^%$# !
A/N: Well… I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. If anything has confused you since you've started reading don't be afraid to ask. I won't mind answering any questions you may have ^^ And now to do homework… whoopee… DX WELL SEE YOU LATER! =D
Fellah – Arabic – farm-hand